Right now I’m reading Rattled! by Christine Coppa. Christine, or Chrissy as her Storked! readers know her, is a single-mom, she writes a blog over on glamour.com called Storked! (for those of you who don’t know, I read the glamour.com blogs religiously and it’s how I first got into blogging. I found several of you there!)
Anyways, back to the book, which isn’t what I expected it to be but I’ll be posting a full review on that once I’m finished. What I wanted to talk about today is what your thoughts are on drinking when you’re pregnant.
The reason I’m bringing this up is a few times in the book (specifically Chapters 8 and 10) Chrissy mentions that she had a few sips of red wine while she was pregnant with her son. I personally was shocked to read this, not so much because I completely disagree with it, but because I’m wondering what her Storked! readers will think of that. There have been some VERY heated comment-arguments happen on that blog, and her readers are quick to tell her when they disagree with the way she’s raising her son. I’m curious to know how readers are reacting to her sharing that little tidbit, especially since drinking when pregnant is so taboo in North America.
I’m also curious to know what your stand is on drinking when pregnant? Clearly I’m not asking whether you think it’s OK for a pregnant woman to take a few shots of tequila and get smashed every night, but what about a small glass of red wine?
I don’t have kids, but when I do, I think I’ll suck it up and go the nine months without having anything to drink. It’s not THAT long and doctors really have no way of knowing how much alcohol it could take to affect the fetus. Depending on what stage of development the baby is in, it could affect it a lot or not at all. It’s also hard to tell how much they’ve been affected until their older and it turns out they’re a little slower than other kids their age.
Then again, women in Europe drink up to a glass of red wine every night when pregnant because it’s good for the circulation and the heart. It doesn’t appear that European children are less smart or way worse off than North American children, so if it’s working for them, why is it so taboo in North America?? According to the article linked below, it’s because studies of fetal alcohol syndrome tend to focus on women who drank excessively throughout their whole pregnancy. This has created a very negative allusion around the idea of drinking when pregnant, even if it is only a few sips of wine.
I’ve worked at a few restaurants and one time we had a very noticeably pregnant lady come in and order a half-litre of wine for herself. I think that’s a little much, and it made me kind of angry. You just never know how much it could take to make fetal alcohol syndrome come into effect, so why take the risk?! It’s only nine months, right??
What do you guy’s think? Is it a complete no-no, or is having a bit of wine here and there during your pregnancy OK?
Image was found here along with a very interesting article on this same topic.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
In general, I think it's something to avoid, but if you are going to have a glass or 2 in the last trimester, I don't think it's a huge deal. In fact, when my mom was pregnant with my little sister, the doctor told her to go home and have a beer after one of her appts as he knew it would help her relax. That was the only beer she had the entire time and I think that is ok.
But for me, I really don't LOVE alcohol enough to feel like I just HAVE to have a glass. Yes, I'll miss the Margaritas & wine w/ dinner but not so much that I will feel like I need to have one…
I'm looking forward to your "Rattled" review. I felt the same way as you described in your email to me!!
I didn’t drink at all during my pregnancy OR at any time I thought I could be pregnant. We tried to get pregnant for almost two years, so I abstained from alcohol for most of that time (I think I only drank one weekend when I was SURE I wasn’t pregnant). And since I am breastfeeding my son, I don’t drink now either. The last time I had a drink of any kind was in Sept. ‘07, if I recall correctly. The thing is, I don’t miss it (wasn’t much of a drinker anyways) and I know I’m doing something great for my son. So it’s all worth it. I don’t see the point in even chancing that he might have alcohol reach his bloodstream … I know what it does to me, I can’t even imagine what it would do to him. Just my opinion.
Personally I wouldn’t chance drinking at all while I was pregnant. I’m a worrier and it just wouldn’t be worth it to me.
If there’s even a slightest of chances that the alcohol would affect the baby adversely, then I would avoid it. I have this horrible Newton’s Disease “If it CAN happen, it DOES happen” to me.
I think I’m aiming more towards the no drinking, but I haven’t read all the studies on the subject (as in: is it ok to have a glass once in awhile towards the end of the pregnancy?). I personally wouldn’t do it and it wouldn’t be much of an issue for me. I’m pretty sure I’ve gone 9 months without having a glass of wine (I’m not a big drinker).
I agree with a lot of people on here…basically that I personally wouldn’t choose to drink during my pregnancy.
But like you said, they do it in Europe right?? It is definitely just a North American thing…I know that I wouldn’t chance it, but I don’t think that a couple of sips of red wine would affect a fetus…but that doesn’t condone a bender, right?
I’m not a big drinker either, more of a social drinker (only at weddings, receptions, parties, etc) so for me this is kind of a non-issue. If I knew I were pregnant I wouldn’t take the chances and have a few sips or even a glass of wine. I’d blame myself if something happened to the baby that could have been avoided if I hadn’t enjoyed that glass of wine.
I honestly have no idea if I will ever have children but if I do, I will gladly abstain from drinking during my pregnancy. I’d rather have a happy, healthy baby =)
I don’t think I could drink at all. I know they say it’s ok for red wine every now and then but I just wouldn’t want to push it. I’d feel guilty. Plus I know I’ve seen someone in public drinking red wine while pregnant and, I don’t know, it just looked weird.
Hubs used to work with a lady who was definitely prego but smoking!? Now, who does that?
My coworker had a baby earlier this year, and she told me that her doctor said it was okay to have a glass of red wine from time to time (she never did, though). I was surprised to hear this, because I’d always assumed it was something pregnant women were absolutely forbidden to engage in.
I would personally avoid it, but I also think America is really an all-or-nothing place in terms of attitudes.
I definitely wouldn’t be drinking if i was prego….why would you want to take the chance of harming your baby….i dunno i think its a bit selfish to think you can take that chance. You really don’t neeeeeeeed to have a drink and if you do you shouldn’t be having kids at that point in your life.
Katrina
it’s an absolute no-no. kelley had two small sips of red wine with our first pregnancy, and the baby was born with two birthmarks, called “angel kisses” or “stork bites”. it’s a vascular birthmark that is supposed to go away by first grade, and we don’t even notice it any more. one’s on her nose, and the other on the back of her neck. they are both the color of red wine (bah bah bummmmmmmm)
Its ok if someone has 1-2 sips of wine a few times during their pregnacy but the issue is if they are drinking on a regular bases or getting drunk, definitely not good!
hmm my sister had a sip of wine here and there. and that’s about as far as she took it. when she was breastfeeding, she did indulge in a glass of wine occasionally. I don’t see that much of a problem with it. but that’s not to say that I advocate having a full glass every night. and I wouldn’t encourage someone to have a drink or a sip if they didn’t feel comfortable enough.
you would probably be ok indulging in a small glass of wine while pregnant, but why take the risk??? i think it’s not worth the risk.
I think I would try and completely avoid it, the risk (even if small) is something I wouldn’t want to take. If I did drink though it would be red wine, no more than one glass and only on occasion. As in, probably only two or three times during the entire pregnancy. I completely agree with you Amber, nine months isn’t that long!
I didn’t drink with any of my four pregnancies — once I knew I was pregnant. I’ve known children with fetal alcohol syndrome, and it’s just too sad.
oy. what a heated deabate. not here but in general. i think as long as you arent a binge drinker or heavy drinker, a glass of wine here or there shouldnt be a big deal. its not unheard of. i personally wouldnt do it, but i dont frown on those who do. my theory is, the people who are responsible enough to only have a drink or two from time to time, are the type that dont need it, so wouldnt do it. its the ones that “need it” or have a dependency who arent responsible to cut themselves off.
I’ve heard it’s all right in small amounts but I personally wouldn’t risk it. Alchoholism already runs rampant in my family so even though it probably doesn’t effect THAT, I would still err on the side of caution.
I’ve given up booze for long periods of time before so it wouldn’t be the end of the world to go 9 months.
Personally I would be afraid for myself that one glass would lead to one more. Better to abstain.
Really, we don’t have enough evidence for doctors to say yet whether or not it is okay. Chances are, there are certain critical periods in an unborn child’s development in which alcohol would affect it a great deal, and in other periods it would have no effect. However, I personally believe that it is better for pregnant women to abstain until we have more evidence. As for European women believing that wine helps the heart- that is true. So does grape juice. So do a lot of other things that pose no risk to a fetus. Chances are, a few sips of wine won’t hurt a fetus- but why take a chance? Especially since a lot of women I know have issues stopping at just a few sips.
~Amanda
A few years ago I was on a trip with my mom. We were sitting at the bar and eating dinner. A lady sat down next to us obviously pregnant and ordered a glass of wine. I was SHOCKED! I never knew that people even considered not following this rule!!!! Anyway, I think I agree with most that it may not make a huge difference, but why risk it? I don’t like alcohol enough to take the risk I guess.
I rarely drink normally, not because I have something against it, more because I don’t have a strong desire too. With that said I wouldn’t really have to change anything their if I were pregnant. Now caffeine on the other hand, I see being a problem.
I know my mom would drink glasses of wine when she was pregnant with me. I don’t think there was anything wrong with that specifically since 25 years ago things like that weren’t nearly as big of a deal as they are now.
Also reading the book it really only seemed like the had 2 glasses of wine throughout the whole pregnancy. I don’t think she did anything wrong. Yes, there is a line you can cross. And there is a difference between being drunk when pregnant and drinking a glass while pregnant. Not quite the same.
I’m jealous! I really want to read Rattled but can’t find it anywhere but Amazon online. Who charges ridiculously stupid customs and shipping to send to Australia (we need to use the UK amazon to get decent deals and it’s not for sale there!)
Anyway, I have a few theories on drinking when pregnant.
1. It’s apparently becoming less tabboo here in Canada (my friend was told by her dr she was allowed to celebrate with a glass of champagne, and that a drink or two a week would certainly be ok -she’s not a drinker though and so abstained)
2. I don’t think you can judge people who were drinking before they found out they were pregnant. (Not saying you are!) That’s not fair.
3. Not sure what I will do when it REALLY becomes time, but I’m sure over the course of nine months I may have one or two glasses of red wine. Not all the time, not two or more at a time. But ONE, maybe occasionally as necessary. I don’t however think I could do this in front of other people (say at a wedding etc.) hello judgy-mc-judgersons.
4. I try not to judge pregnant people I see who are drinking. I know it’s not as harmful as people used to think it was. But I do draw the line with the one, very obviously (7+ months) pregnant girl I saw drinking alcohol (she was obviously drunk, I saw her go back for more than one drink) while smoking multiple ciggarettes while in a hot tub. Glad I’m not her kid that’s for sure!!!
This topic rattles me beyond belief Amber!!! You know I love my wine…but there is NO way I would have a single sip of any alcohol when I was pregnant with Ayla. Studies do show that drinking while you are pregnant can cause FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), so I know, there is no way I would take that chance.
We have a member of our family who has FAS (he was adopted when he was 3 months old into the fam). I see what he goes through every single day, as a result of his biological mother drinking while she was pregnant, and I just can’t think it’s okay.
I really don’t think it’s a big deal to hold off on drinking for 9 months, why take the risk?
Jenna
I would hate to think that my actions before my child was born will affect them for the rest of their lives. It wasn’t a choice they were able to make for themselves, but one the mother made for them, in those cases, I think you should make the best decisions possible. It is your child, but it isn’t your life.
I purposely did not read everyone else’s comment to not bias my own, but personally, I feel that a small glass of wine, or a few sips of wine during your pregnancy will be fine. I don’t think going out binging on weekends is a good idea, but a quarter-glass once or twice during the 9 months wouldn’t be horrific. Like you said Amber, European women are drinking a glass of red wine a *night*. A glass during 9 months, in my opinion, isn’t going to hurt unless a doctor has specifically told you not to.
I think it’s just a personal choice. I don’t think a few sips of wine will do any harm, but I choose to stay away from it when I become pregnant.
Thanks for the book recommendation! I’ve read it already but I definitely enjoyed it too
Very interesting topic … I think you’re right — a couple sips of wine/small glass probably wouldn’t hurt (as you point out, European children seem AOK) but you never really know. I’m with you, I think when I become preggers one day I’ll say no to alcohol during my pregnancy. Nine months is not THAT long and giving it up for your own child is totally worth it. Plus I bet a strawberry daiquiri, or your drink of choice, will just taste that much better after waiting nine months.
I really want to check out Christy’s book! I’ve heard about it being sold out at many locations but hopefully I can get my hands on it. I’m glad to know it’s different from the blog since I’ve read every one of her blog entries.
Personally, I would probably have a couple sips/glasses of wine during pregnancy. My in-laws family was notorious for drinking through pregnancies (before anyone knew of any problems) and there have been no issues. Other family members have sipped wine during theirs and to me it does not seem like a big deal. I know the risks and I also know that a sip a wine here or there will not be the cause of any problems.
There are SO many alternative’s out in the market place these days, non-alcoholic beer, alcohol free wines. I do not have children yet, but when I do and if there is an occasion where I want to be social and have a drink I am going to choose an alternative. I am not opposed to having a sip of a friends drink if they say it tastes really good, what harm could a sip do. Just know your limits.
Great topic Amber, its nice to see other opinions and to know that they are not right or wrong.